Jamie Jackson

Thanks for the head's up. The stages look like fun, but challenging. As my every-other-weekend at work rotates this fall, I plan on giving USPSA a try...it's been nearly 15 years, but I looking forward to it.

Heck! I'm next!

Hey Craig. Thanks for joining in. It was nice to meet you and great to shoot with Buddy. I'm definitely looking forward to the next IDPA match, and to trying out some of the other venues as well.

I'm glad our "Uncle" got you there Buddy. I first met Hershel Davis there as he was rotating to civie life from the Teams, also met and got some great instruction from Ed Head, Bill Jeans, and Bill Murphy. I did 250 & 260 (shotty). About 1/4 of each class were active duty. In 260 we had a Chief and 2 E-6's from SBU. They had the (at that time not in full civie circulation) Benelli M4's and were wringing out the new H&K's in 45 acp. We had a PJ and more than a few Army gents. Great folks one & all. LOL on the M9's....great guns btw...kinda different from the predominately single actions of the time. Didn't the Lt,Col call them “crunchentickers"?

Hi Folks; I'm just getting back into the swing of things (IDPA etc.) and was wondering if any clubs in or near East TN are hosting BUG(Back Up Gun) matches? I was also curious if any clubs are holding low light or night matches? I did a search, and I readily admit to being a technotard. but didn't come up with anything. Thanks in advance.

I have a horsehide belt from Kramer Leather that's pushing 20 years and is just starting wear down. They cost a bit more these days...but value remains value, imho. I do have a Wilderness Instructor Belt and it's a workhorse..but it's obviously a gunbelt. I am currently using a Hellweg Black leather belt and I'm impressed with it. It's only been in use daily for about 1 1/2 years, but I think it's a keeper. As far as availability goes, I have a buddy that just ordered one from Brownells (in my link) and it arrived within a week. In my humble and totally unsolicited opinion a belt is but one part of a carry "system"...each component necessary to achieve your desired goals. For me that is comfortable and secure all day (everyday) carry...accessibility (the gun will be where I think it should be when I reach for it)...and low profile (I carry concealed and have for the past 25 years or so)...without the gun flopping out or squirreling around because the belt stretches from the weight of the gun, holster, mag pouches and all the other crap I need it to support. So I guess I'm seconding what MacGyver wrote. Again, just my opinion.

DMark; Kinda a transitional thing, but I have an Orange API Patch. Rich Jee was there and slowing assuming control. Lt Col. Cooper was still involved a bit. He taught his excellent Mindset class during my 250. Lt.col Cooper and Ms. Janelle invited a few of us over to The Sconce. They were kind enough to give us a bit of a tour, complete with Ms. Janelle brownies, and then we spent a few hours in his "Gunroom" just taking, discussing the world, and of course Guns... Kinda like being Granted an Audience (afterall..it was Jeff Cooper and I was a dyed-in-woll 1911 junkie at the time...), but with a really down to earth and genuinely nice guy. The Lt Col was still there when I returned a couple of years later, but was no longer teaching. Sorry 'bout the drift and reminiscing folks...

Brad: Welcome aboard Brother.

If I had the funds (unfortunately I don't), I'd jump at this opportunity. I made the trip to Gunsite a couple of times back in the 90's. While the expense was (to me) significant, the training was invaluable. And being able to meet and talk with Col. Cooper was pretty remarkable. I don't know how the quality of training measures up currently (which is one reason why I am curious as to who the instructors will be), but I would imagine the standard is still held high. Having them locally is a true bargain imho.

Wow! Small world isn't it? That's awesome. I remember you guys quite well...Great shooting...both of you. I need to forward BQ this link and get him signed up here at TGO. I have to work ever other weekend (and then some...friggin creditors! ), but as my schedule forces me to rotate weekends, I plan to rotate match venues...but I'm hoping for cooler weather as well guys. I look forward to shooting with you guys again.

My pleasure Sir. I'm with you. being employed these days is a Blessing, shift work or not. I'll definitely be back. I think I caught the IDPA bug while I was there.

Thank you guys for posting the videos. being a dyed in wool technotard, I am impressed! Jeremy...my "real name" is Jamie (old gray fart shootin' a Glock 19), I started on Bay #5...I appreciate the hard work you guys did and picked up some great pointers just watching you (and other members of the squad) shoot. I've worked shift work (nights) for many years, and it's tough on your system Buddy. (I'm finally working day shift and it sure helps...not with my shooting LOL, but with life in general). Thanks again to all for a great match and I look forward to shooting with you guys (and gals) in August.

Sorry for the delay in replying...looong day at work. I started on Bay #5. Great group of folks and S.O. Thank you sschrick. I have only shot 3 or 4 IDPA matches before, and that was in 2006 iirc. And this has certainly rekindled the fire. I used to shoot "tactical matches" based on NTI/IDPA themes back down south in the late 90's...but ORSA is the only place I've shot sanctioned IDPA matches. btw...My "real name" is Jamie..an old gray fart sporting a goatee and shooting a Glock 19... I look forward to meeting/greeting/ and shooting with you guys in the future.

I made it out to ORSA today and shot my first IDPA Match in better than 5 years. I also brought a couple of friends, and one of them shot his first ever competitive event. He did great. I was impressed with the quality of the match and the professionalism exhibited there. Great stages and props as well. With nearly 100 shooters and 100 degree weather it couldn't have run more smoothly. My hat is off to Mike Madden and all of the S.O.'s and folks that ran such an excellent match. And to the great bunch of shooters that made us feel welcome. I am definitely looking forward to the next match at ORSA, that'd be August the 4th. I hope to see/meet some fellow TGOer's out there.

I followed the link above, and it's probably just my limited cyberskills... Who will the Instructors be? Gunsite has an excellent cadre and the instruction is top notch. Just curious. StPatrick makes a good point. Being able to attend close at home is an excellent opportunity and a significant savings

MEN & Backwoodsmen mags have some great info. But my favorite though is Back Woods Home.hand's down. Their website has a fair amount of their articles in it's archives. And I have several books they publish and find them excellent resources.

Excellent discussion folks. I think Dennis made a great point. When growing your own food, you actually know what went into and/or on it. Another point to consider regarding cost: Have you recently priced fresh "organic" foods in the grocery stores? And also please consider what "fresh" means there..."fresh" could well mean a few weeks old by the time you purchase it. As Dennis said, the quality, taste, and nutrition of home grown vegetables is simply hard to beat.

Looks great! Good job ccarier. Radar; I've been running a Glock 19 with grip stippling for several years now...daily wear and hard use. It's held up extremely well. Glocks are madeto be stippled...and reshaped. Give it a try and I think you'll be pleased.

Our primary cuke bed has finished it's run. But we managed to get a good crop of various pickles out of it. They were looking as you describe during their last week before I pulled them. This heat is wrecking havoc on many plants. Since you're keeping them well watered, you might want to try an organic nitrogen supplement. I don't know if it'll help, but my other cuke plants, just a couple in 2 other beds, have responded well to a healthy application of COF. We are really into hot weather season plants now, like you described....tomatoes, chilis, okra, etc. Good Luck.

While I haven't tried a turkey burner, I have used a Camp Chef 2 burner for pressure and waterbath canning. Works great. From folks I've talked to about using a turkey fryer, and from what I've read on other forums, a turkey fryer will work. But the challenge is turning one down low enough and keeping them lit. A turkey fryer has a high btu output for it's designed purpose. It seems folks have had some success by either building a windscreen so that when it turned down as low as possible it doesn't blow out, or using some form of metal to raise the canner up higher over the flames.

Thank you LW. I appreciate that. Having raised beds with kind of a permaculture concept, at least as far as "zoning" makes them relatively easy keepers. (i.e. zone 1 which requires the most attention being the easiest to access and tend...). I work 4-5 12 hr shifts per week, but I generally only need 20-30 minutes per day to tend the garden, sometimes not even that much. Occasionally...about every 2 to 3 weeks...it'll take a few hours to tweak things up or harvest what's growing. It's a learning experience for us. But the idea is to have an expandable garden that requires minimal energy input. We made sure we spaced everything so that our riding mower fits in between...just makes things simpler. Good Lord knows I'm simple... Heck, besides...I got other things to do...like reloading and shooting. peejman; Hang in there! I think working a community-type garden is a great concept. It must be a challenge getting the soil into good working order. I wish you the best, and look forward to hearing more about your project.

You're more than welcome Dennis. It'll be a fine Christmas indeed.

Thank you. We did a lot of research before investing, and are very pleased with our choice. It really cuts the time down since we can do so many jars in a single run. We have a standard sized electric stove. It's a bit crowded, but very doable. Here's a pic of it on our stove:

I'm Praying for some rain Good Sir. For you and all the rest of us. We sure do need it.

Thanks for the links Lester Weevils. We made our first sauerkraut last year, then waterbath canned it. It's the best kraut I've ever had. Credit goes to my DW. It's remarkably easy to do. And you actually know what you have in the jar, unlike commercially prepared kraut. Awesome isn't it, monkeylizard? Welcome to your newest addiction.